Same Day Crowns

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and you're always allowed to ask. A crown is the right call when a tooth is cracked or too broken down for a filling to hold. But not every tooth needs one, and a second opinion is reasonable any time a treatment plan surprises you. Here's how to tell the difference, what to ask, and when a second look is worth your time. I'm a dentist telling you it's okay to question your dentist. I mean it, so let's get into it. When does

A CEREC crown is designed, milled, and bonded in our office in a single visit. A digital scan replaces the goopy impression, the mill carves your crown from a solid ceramic block while you wait, and you leave with the finished crown. No temporary, no second appointment.

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS For most teeth, yes. Same-day crowns are milled from the same ceramics dental labs use, lithium disilicate and zirconia. Long-term studies show comparable fit and durability. They're also bonded the same day the tooth is shaped, which means less sensitivity. A few cases still call for a lab, and we'll tell you when yours is one. If you're asking this question, you're probably wondering whether "one visit" is code for "cutting corners." Fair. Let's take i

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS Our in-office SprintRay MIDAS 3D printer Our in-office 3D printer builds precise dental appliances layer by layer from a digital scan of your mouth: implant surgical guides, night guards, models, temporaries, and permanent inlays, onlays and veneers, with full-coverage printed crowns likely next as the materials mature. For you, that means fewer visits, better-fitting appliances, and implant placement planned to a fraction of a millimeter. What can a den

Dr. Victor Bauer, DDS A filling replaces missing tooth structure inside the tooth. A crown wraps around and protects the entire tooth. When we recommend a crown instead of a filling, there can be a couple reasons why. Usually there isn't enough healthy tooth left to reliably support a filling, or the tooth can be cracked, weakened, or at high risk of fracturing. Sometimes the chewing surface of the tooth has been eroded and there is little to no remaining enamel on the chewin